Showing compassion when it isn’t required

Elizabeth, 6, and her mother Melissa Henry of Dover Township pass out utensils and bagged meals in 2008 for people at Grace Lutheran Church in York. The Henrys and others from Salem Lutheran Church in Dover Township prepared meals to give to people in need. YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS — FILE PHOTO

There are some aspects of this story that stuck out to people who wrote in the comments section of the story — the fact that the couple involved said they didn’t have money to buy groceries for their children and that the woman, who suffers from a mental health illness, acted out when her husband said she wasn’t taking her medication.

But there was something small that stood out to editors at YDR: One of the officers who responded offered to buy the family their groceries.

Chief Justin Seibel said it was a unique situation and that the officer felt their story was true. Seeing a family struggling through the holidays is also tough, Seibel said.

“It was clear she was upset that should couldn’t buy the food she wanted,” Seibel said.

The woman’s husband, Jorge Ramos, agreed that the officer was “very kind.”

“I offered him my hand . . . ” Ramos said. “I was surprised he offered to buy us the things we needed for breakfast.”

What moments of compassion have you seen recently? Was it spurred by the sentiments of the holidays?

About Rebecca Hanlon

Rebecca Hanlon is the health reporter with a religion sub beat at the York Daily Record/Sunday News. Follow her on Twitter @mrsbeccahanlon or on Facebook at facebook.com/byrebeccahanlon.

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